By Jay Palmer, a whistleblower in the largest (H1B, B1) visa fraud settlement in United States history. He testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in March 2015.

For years, companies from California to Massachusetts have laid off hardworking, experienced Americans in the name cheaper labor. Most Alabamians likely have not heard of the H-1B visa program or the B1 and L-1 visa programs, but these programs have been used by American corporations to fire some of our best and brightest to bring in inexperienced foreign workers.

Alabamians are not immune from the abuses of foreign worker visa programs. From 2012- 2015 there have been over 4800 H1B visas issued in Alabama. Of those, about 21% are specialized (doctors, surgeons). The remainder are given to foreign workers for jobs that should be filled by Americans. Examples of Alabama jobs being lost are computer programmers, software developers, and accountants and auditors.

In March 2015, I had the privilege of testifying before Alabama's own Senator Jeff Sessions and the United States Senate's Judiciary Committee. The other witnesses and I painted a pretty bleak but honest picture on visa abuse.

Our visa system does not serve Americans and their families. Why you ask? Money from big corporations given to the Washington establishment.

Marco Rubio and his "Gang of Eight" proposed legislation that would have increased foreign visas from 65,000 to 110,000 in one year and the potential to increase as high as 185,000. Large technology companies are the biggest abusers of the visa programs and Mr. Rubio is taking money from them. How can we as Americans vote for the loss of more American jobs?

Senator Cruz in 2013 supported tripling the number H1B visas that would displace more American workers. Now he has done a 180-degree switch as he takes money from Silicon Valley.

Donald Trump has not taken money for immigration reform from Silicon Valley executives. Instead he has constructed a plan that will work and is the best by far. He proposes to increase the number if ICE agents and empower them to do their jobs. No more catch and release his approach is catch, prosecute, and deport! Also he proposes to hire Americans first instead of flying in cheap labor from foreign companies which Americans have to train. Neither of his opponents stand this firm.

Mr. Trump's plan will cut visas that are used to replace the American worker. Additionally, he will have an entry exit system to prevent visa over stays. Here is the most important item, he will hire people that are experts in areas and empower them to make policies and decisions based on what's best for the people and not big companies. After al,l he has already hired one of Senator Sessions top policy aides, Stephen Miller. Miller gets the immigration problem and knows what it does and continues to do the American worker.

We are almost a year removed from the H-1B visa reform hearing where I testified and the problem has gotten worse. I know as I am contacted weekly about ongoing fraud and abuse.

On March 1 Alabama voters will go to the polls. I urge Alabamians to look at who is taking money from outside special interest. Trump is the only candidate that doesn't take money from special interest. I side with Senator Sessions; Trump will end illegal immigration and stop the loss of American jobs.

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